ABERDEEN star Niall McGinn could have been forgiven for looking for a way out of Pittodrie.

There would not have been too many complaints if he had jumped on the Championship bandwagon and headed south, pockets bulging with cash, after a stunning campaign in the SPL.

Not many would have blamed the Dons for cashing in on their prize asset either in these dark, uncertain days in Scottish football.

But they didn’t want to do business, instead they mean business – and so does McGinn.

The striker may be one of the quietest lads in the game but don’t mistake coyness for a lack of ambition. Talent and hard work helped him graduate from part-time football in Ireland to full-time and the bright lights of Parkhead.

But it is at Pittodrie he feels at home and is convinced he can realise his dreams. He scooped all the Dons’ Player of the Year awards and made the PFA shortlist.

Now it’s trophies and medals he wants and having been impressed with new boss Derek McInnes he is absolutely certain he can do it with Aberdeen.

McGinn has signed a new deal which keeps him at Pittodrie until 2016 and he said: “The new manager’s ideas and the fact I’ve enjoyed working with him for the last four weeks played a big part.

“I want to build on that next season by continuing to do well for the club as there’s definitely more to come.

“This has been the best season of my career, scoring so many goals and doing well on the international stage too.

“At Aberdeen we are looking forward to next season as, with the quality of players we have here, there is most definitely unfinished business.

“The manager has made it clear we want to do well in the league, make a bigger impression in the cups and get the club back into Europe.

“Those are the sort of things I want to achieve and I feel we can do that with the mix of experienced and promising young players we have.

“I didn’t come here just to play out the time on my contract, I am here to help bring some silverware to Pittodrie and I hope next season we can deliver that for the supporters.”

There hasn’t been much to cheer about in Aberdeen in recent years but the news McGinn signed a contract extension tempted long-suffering Reds to hold street parties.

The humble Northern Irishman has become a real fans’ hero and can’t help but smile when reminded of his Dons ditty – which includes the famous line about McGinn playing on the left and right and making Ronaldo look … ahem, rather ordinary.

That was thanks to his stunning strike against Portugal but it’s that rapport with the Red Army which also convinced him to stick around.

He said: “I don’t get too big-headed about things, I just keep enjoying my football which is my main priority, and scoring goals is a bonus.

“The fans getting behind me and singing my name gives me a lift though. It is nice and you hear it, especially in the away games. You just want to keep doing well for them.

“The season’s gone much better on a personal level than I would have hoped for so I definitely surprised myself – and a few others. Scoring the goal against Portugal for Northern Ireland was pleasing. It’s been a good year for me but that is something I want to build on as there’s no point in now having an iffy season next time.”

McGinn is not just a morale boost for the fans, he is a marker for McInnes. The new boss is embarking on a recruitment drive and rather than pad out the squad with numbers he is going for a streamlined group of quality players.

The Northern Irishman is the first flag in the ground this summer and the striker is excited to see who will be following.

He said: “I’m sure the manager is going to bring in the right quality of players in the summer.

“It’s important for the likes of me to be enjoying my football and saying how good it is at Aberdeen. Hopefully that will help others to decide they want to come here and join people enjoying their football.”

No wonder McInnes was looking chuffed. He must have feared McGinn would be poached but now he has his star man on board for the foreseeable future.

The best thing was it wasn’t even that difficult. The Dons boss said: “I indicated I’d like to get this pushed through as quickly as possible and the talks were all positive. Everyone was keen to make it happen.

“It’s been an easy one to do right from the outset. Niall enjoys it here and there is a lot to say about that.

“He’s grateful the club has secured his future and he is well aware he will still be in demand if he produces another good season.

“He has a burning ambition and is determined to achieve things with Aberdeen.”